Nepal’s Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, resigned on Tuesday, 9 September, a day after at least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured during nationwide protests initially triggered by a government move to block major social media platforms.
Demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police around parliament and government offices in Kathmandu.
The government had announced restrictions on platforms that had not registered locally, a measure officials said was intended to tackle disinformation and online fraud. Access to services including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X was subsequently lifted on Tuesday, but the easing failed to stem public anger. Organisers described the movement as a youth-led, “Gen Z” mobilisation against corruption and a lack of economic opportunity.
Violence escalated on Monday, 8 September, when police used tear gas and rubber bullets as crowds tried to breach barricades outside the federal parliament. Authorities reported 19 fatalities in Kathmandu and another city, with hospitals treating scores of injuries. By Tuesday, protests had spread to multiple urban centres despite a curfew order.
In his resignation letter to President Ram Chandra Paudel, Oli wrote: “In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution.” An aide to the president said the resignation had been accepted and that discussions to identify a new leader had begun.
Parts of the Singha Durbar complex, which houses the prime minister’s office and several ministries, were set ablaze amid clashes. Protesters forced their way into the parliament building as smoke was seen rising from sections of the compound. Homes and party offices belonging to senior political figures were also attacked.
Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s main gateway, was closed on Tuesday after fires lit near the capital produced smoke that aviation authorities said posed a risk to aircraft operations. Several flights were cancelled or diverted, with the Civil Aviation Authority citing safety concerns.
Two cabinet ministers resigned late on Monday, citing “moral grounds”. The army was deployed to enforce the curfew, and military helicopters evacuated some officials from ministerial quarters in the Bhaisepati area as crowds targeted politicians’ residences. The army chief was expected to address the nation later on Tuesday, according to security sources.
The unrest has been driven by frustration over perceived corruption and limited job prospects. Youth unemployment in recent years has remained elevated, and the protests have drawn comparisons with similar movements in the region. Campaigns highlighting what protesters describe as the lavish lifestyles of political families gained traction online before the ban, further fuelling discontent.
International reactions included expressions of concern over the loss of life and calls for restraint. Rights groups urged an independent investigation into the use of force, while domestic critics said the social media order amounted to an attempt to curb free expression. The government rejected that characterisation, arguing the measures were aimed at tackling online harms.
Oli, 73, had begun his fourth term as prime minister in July 2024. His departure leaves Nepal facing fresh political uncertainty, with the presidency initiating consultations on a successor. As of Tuesday evening, protests continued in the capital and other cities despite the lifting of the social media restrictions and the imposition of a curfew.
Resurgent Royalism in Nepal as Gyanendra Shah Marks 78th Birthday Amid Growing Discontent
